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New book traces the history of Dubai aviation

DUBAI — In October 1937, an Imperial Airways C-class flying boat carrying passengers from England to Australia landed on Dubai Creek and began the civil aviation industry in Dubai.

In the 70 years since then, the changes and growth in Dubai’s aviation industry have been huge and the book Flight into the Future launched at the 10^th Dubai Airshow yesterday examines its history.

In the foreword, His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, recognises the growth of the industry during its history and notes the bright future.

“We have seen Dubai International Airport emerge as a global hub, which today welcomes tens of millions of passengers each year, while our international airline, Emirates, remains one of the world’s fastest growing (carriers),” he said.

Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths said aviation was still in its infancy in 1937, but even then the late Dubai ruler Shaikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum had a vision for the development of Dubai and the role aviation would play in it.

“But while Shaikh Rashid understood the importance of the Creek before anyone else in the region, he also understood the implications of a civil aviation revolution that was sweeping the globe,” he said.

Dubai International Airport, inaugurated in 1960, along with the creation of Emirates Airline, have seen and spurred such growth.

Yesterday also saw the launch of a documentary on Dubai civil aviation history which had voice-over by Academy Award-winning actor Morgan Freeman.

• UAE